portly

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   having a rather stout or heavy body, especially in a dignified-looking way

   A portly gentleman in a dark waistcoat greeted them at the door.

2. 2
   adj

   having an imposing or dignified bearing; stately, in older use

   The ambassador entered with a portly manner suited to the formal occasion.

From the older noun port ("bearing, carriage, or manner of carrying oneself") + -ly. Port came through Old French from Latin portare ("to carry"). The original sense was dignified or stately in appearance; association with a substantial physique produced the modern euphemistic sense "rather fat."

Topics